East Coast Block Starz by Block Starz Music

Block Starz Music

Block Starz Music has been on the forefront of exposing the world to top notch talent.  After the success of West Coast Block Starz, listeners were anxious for an East Coast compilation and now they've got it with East Coast Block Starz.  The project showcases seventeen up and coming rappers joining them with well-known names such as The Alchemist, Fabolous and Kardinal Offishall giving the listener not just a slice of the East Coast - but the whole enchilada.

Mansion T.U.T.T.'s "Been Hustla, Been Gangsta," starts the compilation and is welcoming.  He collaborates with Oschino and D-Slim as they each furiously flow over a cataclysmic beat unloading the harsh realities of the gangster mentality.

"SupahBaaddddd!," by Caktuz...?13, is full of angst and bravado.  The cut is southern swagger meets Limp Bizkit.  Tone Trump's "How I'm Livin," is a street anthem unleashing with it the necessary roughness that makes cuts classic.  Quan's "Streetz Iz Callin," follows this same frequency with even more harsh undertones but is the more hopeful of the two.

East Coast Block Starz's shining stars are Throwback's "Was It," an impressive piece on vanity with Wiz Khalifa dropping by to deliver a fitting verse; "I Am," by Bekay, a reflection on hip hop and its culture that strikes chords with a piano undercurrent that embodies many East Coast classics.  Bekay steps up to the microphone and lights it on fire with dope lines such as "I'm the Roger Rabbit, Kid N Play and the running man," and "I'm ill rhymes and dope beats/starter hats, fat laces, rope chains and gold teeth/I'm graffiti, you wanna be me/I'm rich but mainly the needy/trust that believe me."  The pleasing, "Got It Got It," by C. Gillie walks into the radio friendly zone and would perform extremely well on the Billboard charts.  The chorus is catchy and creates a romantic backdrop.  Another high point is Donnie Goines' "Bring It Forward."  One of the most memorable cuts on East Coast Block Starz for its New York borrough shoutouts and celebration of landmarks in the city, Donnie Goines has a hit on his hands.

Shonie's "Can't Let Go," is a melodic club banger featuring Fabolous.  Drum loops and percussion add a soft touch to her euphoric vocals.  The song is noteworthy as it follows a R&B tone not offered on former tracks on the compilation.  "All Star Dough," by Money First, fits into the compilation but does not overly standout.  The sound of "Now," by Sha Stimuli reaches into the depths of underground hip hop.  Hastily rushing towards the speakers, his rhymes are gut wrenching and provoking.  "Saturday Night Live," by Goldo The Beast blends a southern sound with an East Coast style.  The beat he spits over feels out of place because of his subdued rapping pace.

It appears that "New York Girls," by Dramills is only saved by vocals supplied from Raheem DeVaughn, but grows on the ears after a few listens as does A2uce's "A2uce," a hasty flowed rhyme that is the fastest of the songs on the compilation. 

Conscious thought is poured into "Poet's Haiku," by Wordspit.  Winning over rap storytelling fans, Wordspit, rises to the occasion, delivering prose to the nth degree.  The final two tracks, "I Love My City," by Supastar and St. Laz's "Bury Me In Brooklyn," are nice additions to the compilation but manifest as filler, despite the audio and lyrical visuals given off from each of them. 
 
East Coast Block Starz is welcoming and satisfying.  The assortment of styles are delivered with attention to detail, despite some misses.  It is worth a listen for supporters of good hip hop music.

 

For more info on all of the artists featured on East Coast Block Starz:  visit Block Starz Music on their website.